Will: William Rice, Sr., 1817, probated 1824 :Muhlenberg County, Kentucky

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Submitted by: Rick Giirtman rickman@worldpath.net
Date: March 13, 2001
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Source: Microfilm copy of Will Book 2, page 251

In the name of God Amen. I William Rice, Senr., a citizen of Muhlenberg
County & State of Kentucky, being in good health, of sound mind & memory,
but knowing that it is appointed unto all men once to die do here by make
ordane & appoint this my Last Will & Testament in manner & form following.
That is to say:

First my Will & desire that my true & Loving Wife Francis have my Land & the
plantation Where on I now live With all the appertenances of the same there
unto belonging during her natural Life. But immediately after her death the
Land & plantation as above described Shall be possessed and enjoyed by my
Son Matthew Rice & his heirs forever. Together with one cow & calf, two ews
& lambs, ten geese, one plow & two hens. With one bed & furnature. Which he
now has in possession.

Item the 2d. And Where as I have heretofore given to my three sons Larkin,
Ezekiel & William each one tract of Land lying in the county of Washington,
Kentucky. It is my Will & desire that should there ever be money collected
from the Estate of James Vaughn Decd., late of Virginia, against whose
estate I have Just claims. That the same be equally divided between my four
sons & Two daughters (viz) Claiborne Rice, Jesse Rice, James Rice, Benjamin
Rice, Polly Rice & Anny Rice.

Item 3d. As I have empowered my son James Rice to goe to Virginia to settle
& transact my necessary business there It is my Will & desire that *****
that after Receiving a Reasonable compensation for his cervices & necessary
expences out of the proceeds of what he shall get from Virginia. That my son
Benjamin have one hundred dollars out of What I may get from the Estate
Father(?) & Brother John Rice for his trouble & expences for putting that
business in such ***** as it now stands in. After which the residue or
ballance of What I may get from Virginia Shall be equally divided among all
my children that shall then be living.

Item 4th. It is my Will & desire that all negros that I now possess or may
hereafter possess together With all my personal estate except What I have
given to my son Matthew be possessed by my Wife Frances for her use &
benefit for and during her natural life.

Item 5th. As the negroes that may be living after the death of my Wife
cannot be equally divided With out Selling them, it is my Will and desire
that they be sold to the highest bidder, only amongst the children & not out
of the family. And the money thence arrising to be equally divided amongst
all my children that may then be living.

Item 6th. Provided there Should be nothing gotten from Virginia or not
enough to make one hundred and twenty(?) dollars to each of my under named
children, that is to say: Clabourn Rice, Jessie Rice, James Rice, Benjamin
Rice, Polly Rice, & Anny Rice, in that case the money arising from the Sale
of the negroes Shall be applied to make up that Sum to each of my children
named in the Sixth Item. The ballance then remaining if any, Shall be
equally divided among all my children that Shall be then living.

Lastly. I do hereby constitute & appoint my two sons Clabourn Rice & James
Rice the only & Sole Executors of this my Last Will & Testament uterly
revoking, annuling & making Void all other Wills, legacies & bequests by me
before now named or mentioned. Ratifying & confirming this and no other to
be my Last Will & Testament. In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand
& Seal this 4th day of November one thousand eight hundred & seventeen.

                                William Rice -Seal

Signed Sealed & pronounced in presence of
Jeremiah Langley
Elijah Langley
James Wilcox -his mark

Muhlenberg County
April County Court 1824
The Last Will & Testament of William Rice decd. was Exhibited in to Court &
proved by the oaths of Jeremiah Langley & James Wilcox, two of the
subscribing Witnesses thereto. Which is thereupon admitted to & truly
recorded.
                               Att. Ch. F. W i n g -Clk